Burning (16 page)

"Tell me again why we'
re taking biology.  We are already in geology.  Don't you think that is overdoing it, especially since neither of us is getting a degree in science?" Chloë asked.

"I guess we suck at compromising.  Let's get a drop sl
ip and see the prof after class to have him sign it."  I took her hand and headed toward the Registrar’s Office. We grabbed the paperwork we needed and walked back toward the science building.  I noticed a lot of students leaving the building.  It was odd because the class still had another fifteen minutes.

"Can you believe the professor ended class early?" I
overheard a passing student say. 

I didn't think anything of it until
their friend answered.  "I know, but he's new.  I'm glad he did though.  It was really weird the way he stared at everyone like he was looking for someone in particular.  And what was all of that nonsense about human evolution continuing to give us enhanced abilities?"

"I don't think we should go and see this professor," Chloë whispered. 

"I agree. Let's call everyone and tell them to meet at the house." 

Chloë

I grabbed my laptop and pulled up the faculty directory on the school website. 

"
Neither of you went to class, did you?" Cooper asked, worried. 

Grey entered the room and observed Cooper pacing anxiously back and forth. "What is it
, Cooper?" 

Cooper grabbed my laptop and turned it around on the coffee table to
show Grey the screen.  "Recognize this guy?" 

"He's here?" Grey asked, pointing to the picture. 
He moved in closer to read the screen.  "Dr. Garrett Tuttle.  He is a geneticist specializing in the human genome.  This is his first year teaching at Central.  I think they've infiltrated the school.  Cooper, call Carlos. We might have a lead on Nik Athenos."

Anita walked between Cooper and Grey to force them to pay attention to her.  "Earth to
Watchers.
Can someone explain what has you so freaked out?"

"Sit," Grey ordered, gesturing to the couch. 

Anita sat on Dean's lap.  When he had everyone’s attention, he continued. 

"When we picked up Nik in Vegas
, he attracted a small crowd.  One man in the crowd seemed to be paying more attention that the others.  He also remained longer than everyone else.  We took precautions and hurried all of you out of Vegas after the wedding.  We thought we lost our tail when we left Nevada until you showed me this picture.  This was the man from the crowd." 

Finn pulled me closer to his side, sheltering and protecting me
from unseen threats.  "Do you think it is a coincidence that Chloë and I are supposed to be in his afternoon bio class?" 

"
If he has Nik, he might have been looking for you.  Did either of you sign up for biology?" Grey asked, looking at Finn and me. 

I looked at Finn, and he shook his head.  "I didn't sign up for it.  Anita and I were set to take geology together.  I thought it was your science credit," I said to Finn.
 

Cooper walked back in the room in time to overhear the end of our discussion. 
"I think someone added the class at the last minute because you would either go to the class or at the very least show up to drop the class.  No matter what, you had to meet with the professor at least once.  This has to mean they have Nik." 

Anita sat up straighter.  Tension rolled off
of her in waves.  I probably would have felt the same way if I hadn’t been so exhausted.  "What did my father say?"

The air started to crackle
, and tiny, gold sparks flashed until they coalesced, revealing Carlos, who was now standing in the center of the living room. 

Cooper gestured toward Carlos.  "Ask him yourself."
 

Carlos bowed theatrically.  "Guess who is the newest Spanish professor at Central Washington University?" 

Anita ran over and hugged her dad.  "I'm guessing, since you are here, the answer is obvious."

Carlos'
s gaze focused in on Finn and me.  "You were right, Grey.  They don't look well.  The ceremony must be completed right away."  He turned to speak to Bridgett, something the rest of us hadn't done since Vegas.  "You must carry out the ritual tonight."

Bridgett shook her head vigorously.  "
No.  I won't be a part of this.  If you want me to break the bond, I'll do that, but I won't tie them together." 

"
If you are holding on to the belief you and I will be together someday, let it go.  I'd rather die partially bonded to Chloë than ever be with you," Finn spit out. 

Bridgett gasped.  "You'd do that?  You would die for her?"

"Yes."  He looked at me with love and sadness in his eyes.  "But I would not condemn her to die for loving me.  I couldn't live with that." 

"Well, I can't live without you.  We will have to find someone else.
"

Finn stood up and reached out his hand.  "C
’mon. I'm ready to go to sleep.  Let's go to our room."  He glanced at Bridgett when he said it, and we slowly made our way upstairs. 

We fell onto his bed.  I don't know why we always ended up in his room.  Mine was equally as nice
, though a little on the girly side.  Finn seemed to have an alpha reaction to having me in "his bed." 

I grabbed his phone off his nightstand and handed it to him.  "Call your parents.  One of them can do the ritual.
" 

He selected his father's number
, and it went straight to voicemail.  His mother's did the same thing. 

Anita burst in the room nearly as soon as he ended the call.  "We can't get
ahold of your parents.  My father tried a few other elves he knows, and everyone's phones goes straight to voicemail.  Bridgett chose that as the perfect time to tell us that the annual elfin gathering is under way and all elves except for the two of you are in the elfin realm."

Aside from the afterlife, nearly all sentient creatures existed in the world.  We referred to the differences as normal and supernatural, but the truth was
that there was only one world.  Humans didn't have knowledge of the entire thing, and it was their ignorance alone that divided our parallel existences.

There were spaces in the world where time and space existed
in a fluid and malleable form.  One of these spaces was controlled by the elves.  It was like the inside of a bubble, still a part of the world around it but disconnected at the same time.  The only magic that could access this fold in space belonged to elves.

"I can't be away from Chloë long enough to go in and contact my parents.  I think it is safe to assume
that Bridgett won't be of any help to us either.  Did she at least say when they would return?" 

"Not at first, but then my fangs slid out.  Dean and Grey rushed to hold me back, but Grey told her he would let me go if she didn't answer the question.
  They will be gone for another week.  I don't like this at all."

"I don't either," Carlos stated from the doorway.  "Sorry to intrude, but I saw my daughter blur toward this direction. 
That is definitely going to take some getting used to.  Anyway, I don't want the two of you to spend a moment apart longer than to relieve bodily functions.  I promise we will figure this out."

Alone again
, I turned in Finn's arms to face him.  I stroked his cheek and ran my fingers through his hair.  "We will figure this out.  We didn't go through last year only to lose each other like this.  I know you're worried about me, but I'm strong.  I can survive your freaky love magic." 

He cocked his eyebrow at me
.  His blue eyes glowed dimly.  "Freaky love magic?  Come closer and I'll show you some freaky love magic." 

I squealed when he started tickling me.  Not exactly the moves I
’d thought he was going to unleash, but his playfulness lightened my mood.

Dean

"I want you to understand something," I said, addressing Bridgett as soon as Anita left the room.  "I held Anita back, not because I care if any harm comes to you, but because I didn't want her to live with the guilt of killing you.  But remember this: if any harm comes to Finn and Chloë because you refused to help, you won't have to worry about Anita.  I will rip your throat out myself."

Grey had an iron grip on my shoulder and pulled me back.
  "Control your beast, Dean." 

I glanced at the hall mirror and realized
that my eyes had become rounder and distinctly feline.  I nodded and stalked out of the room.

Anita came back down the stairs after a few minutes.  I was pacing back and forth.  I felt caged, trapped, and ready to attack. 

"Let's take a walk outside," I said when I sensed her behind me.   My tension eased when we reached the trees at the edge of the property.  "I hate not being able to do anything.  I feel like I'm watching my best friend die and there isn't a thing I can do to stop it." 

Anita leaned into my back, offering me comfort.  "I feel the same way.
  I'm really scared.  Chloë looks horrible.  She's lost weight, and she really couldn't afford to in the first place.  Her complexion looks sallow, and she's tired all the time.  I'm afraid they don't have a week to wait for someone to return from their gathering."

I turned around and wrapped my arms around her.
  I couldn't help Finn or Chloë, but I could soothe Anita. 

"You are amazing.  We are all lucky to have you.  I don't know what I did to deserve someone as perfect as you are,"
Anita praised.

"I'm far from perfect.
  True, I don't have a traumatic past.  My parents are wonderful people, and I've always felt loved, but I do have a temper.  I doubt if you had known me in high school you would have thought I was perfect." 

Anita gave me a skeptical look.  I continued to explain.  "
When I became a teenager, my parents had a difficult time controlling me.  I hated being different than the other kids at school.  I wanted to have sleepovers and play sports like the other guys my age, but I was never allowed.  My strength and speed would have been too noticeable during competitions.  I used to transform sometimes in my sleep, so obviously I couldn't have anyone over.

"
The feeling of alienation built in me until I lashed out at people I envied.  I only hung out with the party crowd.  The kids had good grades and stayed out of trouble played sports.  I pounded on the quarterback, the captains of the soccer, baseball, and basketball teams, which left me few options other than the stoners.  I didn't do drugs, but I drank and smoked plenty." 

I stroked her hair and trusted
that she wouldn't judge the rest I had to say.  "Obviously I didn't sleep around. Not because of my morals, but because I didn't want to end up stuck with some chick who looked better while I was drunk.  I did make out with a lot of girls.  I took it as far as I could without risking bonding with any of them.

"
Cooper was the one to help me find control.  Actually, he hunted me down one day and beat my ass.  I deserved it. Believe me. Plus, it established his dominance.  I try not to let my animal side control me, but there are elements that are part of my personality.  I learned control and focus from Cooper."  I smiled at the memory.

"
This thing with Finn and Chloë... I feel out of control.  I feel enraged for the first time in about two years.  I threatened to kill Bridgett a few minutes ago, and I meant it.  Grey had to hold me back.  I haven't been held back since Cooper beat it out of me."

I risked looking at Anita to see if I had lost her respect.  I
had not expected her to be smiling at me the way she was. 

"You aren't perfect." 

"Why does it sound like a compliment?"  I was very confused. 

"Because I feel more norma
l.  I love you so much, but it's exhausting trying to keep up with the model of perfect behavior.  I let my temper out to play way too often, and now I know I can control it.  I love you more for being imperfect than I loved you when I thought you were perfect."

I tapped the end of her nose.  "You are
an extremely confusing woman, but I wouldn't change a thing about you.  Not even your temper." 

"I want to go back to what you said about the other women.  When did you decide you wanted to wait until marriage?" 

I shifted my weight from foot to foot scratched the back of my head.  "About five minutes after I met you." 

"What?" she nearly shrieked
. "Were you just trying to torture me?" 

I fought back a laugh, but it wasn't actually funny.  I
’d sensed her defensiveness from the beginning.  I’d known there were wounds buried inside her, and I’d wanted to be the one to comfort her.  "I didn't know what you had been through, but I could see that you were guarding yourself.  After I talked to you, I wanted to talk to you more.  Believe me, you successfully seduced me over and over again.  If I hadn't felt that earning your trust was crucial, I would have given in immediately.  I've never wanted anyone the way I wanted you.  The way I still want you."